Digital Newsroom

Gilbert, AZ Launches Open Data Portal to Increase Transparency

Post Date:12/04/2017 2:50 PM

Gilbert, Ariz.- Gilbert, Arizona is thrilled to announce the launch our new Open Data Portal and are taking it a step further by humanizing our portal with a character we’ve created named “Alex” who will help connect the dots on how to use our data on your own websites, applications, or research. Named after the Library of Alexandria, one of the largest and most significant libraries of the ancient world, Alex and Gilbert’s Open Data Portal are a place where visitors can find a wealth of information that can help residents and businesses improve their lives and operations.

Gilbert was 1 of 100 cities to engage with Michael Bloomberg’s What Works Cities initiative to create an Open Data policy and portal over the course of the past 10 months. The Open Data portal will host data sets related to the themes of Community Safety, Growth and Development, Recreation and Culture, Finance and Operations and Transportation and Facilities. You can “Ask Alex” for help finding data sets and she will also help make the data easier to understand and use for all.

This online resource is an extension of Public Records and will proactively release data to increase transparency and ease of use for residents, local businesses, and Town staff. The goal of the Open Data Portal and Alex is to actively engage our residents and businesses and students through SPARK App League®; teaching them to “connect the dots”.

The data is only useful if residents, businesses and staff engage with it, so visit alex.gilbertaz.gov and “Ask Alex” to learn more about Gilbert today!